Shiva Thapa enters quarterfinals
January 30, 2018
Reference: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-sports/thapa-in-quarterfinals/article22581853.ece
Olympian Shiva Thapa warmed up for tougher challenges with a 5-0 victory over Dorji Wangdi of Bhutan in the lightweight pre-quarterfinals of the Spicejet India Open international boxing championship at the Thyagaraj Indoor Stadium here on Monday.
The youngest Indian to compete in the London Olympics, the 24-year-old Thapa’s quick footwork and solid punches proved too much for his opponent. In the quarterfinals, he will face Sherbek Rakhmatulloev of Uzbekistan who won a unanimous decision from the five judges. In the same weight category, Manish Kaushik’s persistence in staying close to Cuba’s Armando Martinez Rabi was rewarded with a 3-2 victory.
Ankush Dahiya also reached the quarterfinals.
In the heavyweight section, three Indians — Sanjeet, Naman Tanwar and Sumit Sangwan — made the semifinals. Sanjar Tursunov of Uzbekistan stands in the way of the Indians and the winner’s purse of $2,500.
Devendro Singh had a fierce battle with compatriot Laldin Mavia who suffered a cut near his left eye, forcing the referee to stop the contest. As Mavia was leading at that stage, he was declared the winner and progressed to the flyweight quarterfinals.
Gaurav Solanki and Salman Anwar Shaik, too, entered the last eight, with convincing wins.
In the light welterweight class, Dheeraj, Ashish and Rohit Tokas advanced to the quarterfinals while in the men’s light flyweight section, Amit, Nutlai Lalbiakkima and Shyam Kumar Kakara booked last-eight berths. Sachin Siwach lost 3-2 by Narinram Thani of Thailand.
In the women’s section, Sarjubala Devi and Pinki Rani made it to the semifinals of the 51-kg class.
The Indian women were eyeing all the medals in the 54kg section with three boxers — Jamuna Boro, Meena Kumari and Manisha — figuring in the semifinals along with Bimala Shrestha of Nepal.
